Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Thursday's Forecast
Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling as snow on higher summits, at least part of the day. All falling as rain on lower and mid slopes, may even turn to rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
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Moderate breeze, locally gusty
A noticeable breeze, feeling cool where exposed on tops. Locally may be gusty, but unlikely to affect walking progress. 15-25mph.
Snow and rain mix
Precipitation falling as snow on higher summits, at least part of the day. All falling as rain on lower and mid slopes, may even turn to rain higher up.
Poor visibility
Murky conditions with areas of fog shrouding the hills, making navigation challenging. Map and compass essential.
Cold
Air temperature below freezing all day on higher mountains. Significant chill factor if exposed to strong winds. Suitable protective clothing required.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Thursday 17th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Snow setting in for a time over the Munros in Scotland, staying sub-zero on high tops. Showery in the Southern Uplands. Windy with bursts of rain in north England, fading through afternoon as cloud lifts and breaks. Mostly dry with a brisk breeze south Pennines and Wales with frequent sunshine.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Widespread rain/hill snow setting in for a time.
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly 15-25mph in the morning. Strongest winds in the north with risk of sudden strong moments up to 35mph at dawn. Becoming mostly 15-20mph afternoon, with further easing around dusk.
Effect of the wind on you?
Fairly small. In the morning, some winds affecting comfortable walking in the north with risk of sudden balance challenges for a time.
How Wet?
Widespread rain and hill snow for a time afternoon
Showery rain and hill snow at dawn, soon fading. Rain and snow arrive from the south early afternoon quickly becoming widespread for several hours. Breaking up to only patchy showers by dusk.
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive
Fairly extensive over highest terrain at dawn, then lowering through midday as rain sets in, bases around 800-900m. Bases rise again towards high tops with breaks as dusk approaches.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
40%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Little or no sun. Visibility poor on high tops, very poor in snow.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1C to +1C Feeling like -8C in direct wind.
Freezing Level
800m at dawn, rising to around 1000m but variable as precipitation comes and goes
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Friday 18th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Easterly 15-25mph. Briefly southeasterly at dawn.
Effect of the wind on you?
Walking starting to be impeded with stability challenges on exposed terrain. Notable wind chill.
How Wet?
Little rain expected
Substantially dry, a few light showers here and there afternoon.
Cloud on the hills?
Intermittent cloud caps eastern tops
Cloud caps come and go over high terrain of Cairngorm plateau and high tops of Deeside. Breaks to highest tops will be common.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Glimpses of weak sun through high cloud. Visibility mostly good.
How Cold? (at 900m)
2 to 3C Wind chill -5 to -8C.
Freezing Level
1100-1200m
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Saturday 19th April 2025
Last updated
Wed 16th Apr 25 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Generally easterly 15mph or less. Possibly a lull in the afternoon.
Effect of the wind on you?
Small
How Wet?
No rain expected
Cloud on the hills?
Fairly extensive early, lifting
Misty glens and corries at dawn. Fairly extensive cloud decks around middle slopes, rising through the day with bases settling near high tops in the afternoon, often breaking. Bases lower northern slopes of Cairngorms.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%, becoming 70%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Intermittent sun, sometimes weakened by high cloud. Poor visibility early, becoming excellent.
How Cold? (at 900m)
-1 or 0C at dawn. Rising towards +2, though staying near freezing in eastern areas.
Freezing Level
Around 900m at dawn. Rising to the summits or just above, though staying near 1000m east Cairngorms and Deeside.
Planning Outlook
Several cores of low pressure are circulating around the British Isles through the weekend and into next week. Western areas are likely to see rain with a few stray showers into the east. High pressure will briefly build in on Easter, settling the weather momentarily. Southern areas will see showers into early next week and low pressure will become dominant in the Atlantic, which may push several bands of rain eastward toward the British Isles, though details remain uncertain at this point. Temperatures will be near average or slightly cooler, depending on the position of low pressure.